Hi! This sums up the end of this journey! I know that this fic wasn't close to perfect, but this was a plot bunny that just needed to be written. Thank you to all you guys who reviewed, favorited and followed my story and for the majority of my silent audience! I really had a great time, and I truly hope that you guys are satisfied with the ending!

Things weren't okay. They really weren't okay. Midorima was all too surprised that in all his snooping, he never found out. The symptoms were obvious; even a little internet surfing would have busted the case. When Takao had told him, Midorima didn't feel shocked; maybe a subconscious part of him knew what was wrong, but he never could admit to himself that something like that would even happen to the happy-go-lucky Takao.

The idea of an assailant, holding Takao down, physically and mentally damaging him was sickening, and Midorima's throat felt dry at the thought. However, a part of him was glad that he now knew. The curiosity and the fact that he wasn't even able to help his friend had clawed at his insides.

After a long and tearful catching up between the two of them in someplace, thankfully, semi-private, the conversation had turned to Takao's recovery. Takao had, after a long bout of heeding and persuasion from Midorima, had reluctantly agreed that he would go to get help from professionals. The conversations would probably, most likely, not be about anything about the recently traumatic events-Takao had refused to tell him the details, he sure as hell wouldn't open up to a bunch of strangers-the talks were therapeutic just because they were talks. A sense of rhythm had built up, and the conversation pushed the slowly setting depression and apathy that had crept into Takao's mind to a side.

It had been a week since the big reunion, and Takao, though still hesitant to talk the other members of the class, started to talk to Midorima more. His words, though not the mindless chatter before, would ask about assignments, about Midorima, forcing Midorima to talk and causing the green-head himself to realise unspoken truths about himself. This didn't only do Takao good, Midorima mused, but his change in nature allowed Midorima to explore a new side of himself as well.

Not only did Midorima find a new side of himself but so did Takao, as through his trauma, he had gained a sort of one-minded, quiet diligence that did well for his grades. Midorima knew that it was likely because he needed something to focus upon, and work, boring, black and white, was something calming and easy for the hawk-eye to focus on.

A sort of tentative fondness budded between them, and the two soon fell back into their usual routine. It wasn't forced, but there was a sort of sober air about it; a sort of 'all this shit is out in the open and I don't know how to deal with it' feel about their relationship. It startled Midorima, to know that something so casual and open between them was missing. It was usually Midorima who despised the closeness and the suffocating familiarity of their relationship, but once the distance between them was apparent, Midorima found himself sorely missing it.

Takao never did pick-up basketball again. It wasn't that he was bad at it or anything, the passion he once had had drained out of him like water from a broken bucket. Midorima had missed their physical understanding, feeling like a lost gear in a two part machine. Midorima continued playing, but it always felt like something was missing. Partnered with Takao for so long, Midorima had forgotten how to dominate the court on his own.

Though many parts of the new relationship were missed, the new one was shaping into something new altogether. The routine of pulling the cart was permanently reversed, but they didn't feel reversed anymore, the trips to the councillor with Midorima waiting outside until they were done before going for something to eat didn't feel strange or out of place in Midorima's routine either. Things were solidifying, the kicked up dust was settling, until something twisted this new found relationship out of place, and sent the dust flurrying into the air again.

It was a day like no other for Midorima, but the telephone rang, startling the silence with sharp blares. Answering it, Midorima heard silence over the line, before a muffled sob sounded, perking Midorima's senses, 'Takao?'

'Shin-chan…' A weak voice sounded, calling by Midorima's re-earned nickname.

'Where are you? Are you okay?' Midorima's answered, before wincing. His voice sounded sharper that he had intended to make it.

Takao answered, tight, contained, 'can I come in?'

Midorima didn't even bother to answer him before yanking the door open. Takao, who had presumably been resting his weight on the door, fell into Midorima's arms as bandaged fingers reached for him. Midorima let the other have a moment to recollect himself, stroking the other's back as soothingly as he could as he guided Takao to his room. Takao followed Midorima, pliant and limp in his arms, a shivering wreck.

Waiting until the other's sobs stopped, Midorima spoke, 'Are you going to be okay?'

'Yeah,' Takao intoned.

'Okay,' Midorima didn't have to question again. Takao would speak up if he needed help.

Takao echoed a sob, before looking up at Midorima, eyes streaked with red and wet, causing Midorima's heart to ache, 'they caught him.' A shudder, 'they caught him, and they asked for last words and he said…h-he said, the last one I fucked was such a pretty little thing.

'I wasn't even sad, I was just so angry. Doesn't he fucking understand what he's done?' Takao spat, eyes bitter, 'he fucked me up so bad. Why the hell did he have the power to fuck up my life? Why?'

'Takao,' Midorima whispered, and Takao launched himself at him.

For a second, Midorima thought that Takao wanted to attack him, but when a soft pair of trembling lips made contact with his, he realized that it was something totally different. Pushing the other away as gently as he possibly could, Midorima said as strictly and firmly as his shaken demeanour would allow, 'you don't want to do that kind of thing when you're breaking down.

Takao visibly deflated, before extracting himself from Midorima, 'yeah, you're right.'

And that's it for a while, but there's an underlying change in their relationship. So when, a few weeks later, Takao said that he'd made up his mind once and for all, planting a seemingly casual kiss on Midorima lips before smiling, Midorima doesn't feel the least bit surprised at all. Taking Takao's trembling hand that he had tried to hide from Midorima's gaze, the latter planted a soft kiss on the other's hand and said that they'd take it slow.

The relieved smile that Takao gave him was all the reward that he needed.

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